United States Advances to FIL Final With Rout of Australia

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - A dominating performance
across the board saw Team USA jump out to a 7-0 lead after one
quarter and never look back, stunning Australia with a 22-3 win to
advance to the finals of the FIL World Championship.

Dominant all over the field, the
United States never allowed Australia into the game.
(Scott McCall)

David Lawson led the United States with four goals, while
Brendan Mundorf, Paul Rabil, Max Seibald and Kevin Leveille all had
hat tricks in the win, which was the most lopsided in world
championship play history between the teams. The previous mark of
16, a 21-5 win by the United States in 2010 at Manchester, England,
was eclipsed early in the fourth quarter.

Rob Pannell continued his torrid play at the world championships
with two goals and an assist, giving him 28 points in six games for
Team USA. With one game left to play, he stands tied with Ryan
Powell's 2006 showing for fifth in U.S. men's national team history
at 28 points. Mark Millon's record of 41 in 1994 is likely beyond
reach, but Michael Powell's second place of 32 in 2006 could be
within reach.

While no records are available for faceoff performance, Chris
Eck and Greg Gurenlian continued their dominance as well, combining
for a 26-for-29 game against the Sharks, both winning 13. They've
been a huge difference-maker for the United States all
tournament.

Australia came out flat after six games in six days, including a
tough 9-8 come-from-behind win over Israel in Wednesday's
quarterfinals. Matt Diver, Nigel Morton and Anson Carter each
scored once and William Pickett had an assist, but with the United
States up comfortably early, they never really made a game of it,
unlike the comparatively close 16-7 United States win in pool
play.

The statistics speak for themselves, as the United States
outshot Australia by a 45-11 margin, scooped 37 ground balls
compared to 17, and only needed three saves from goalkeepers Jesse
Schwartzman and Drew Adams.

Australia will face the Iroquois Nationals in Saturday's bronze
medal game, looking to retain its medal stand status, having
captured at least bronze in every world lacrosse tournament dating
back to the first in 1967. The United States, now 59-3 all-time in
international play, will face Canada, hoping to take home gold for
the second straight tournament and 10th time overall in the final
at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.